Side Sill Structure for Small-Overlap Front Wheel Load Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-body structures face challenges in absorbing front-end collision loads via the front wheel while preventing the front wheel from receding towards the vehicle-width-direction inner side during small overlap collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-body structure featuring a pair of side sills with a closed cross-section, where the side sill inner has an open cross-section on the outer side and the side sill outer has an open cross-section on the inner side, with deformation strengths decreasing stepwise, allowing simultaneous deformation of the inner and outer front ends to absorb collision loads and guide the front wheel away from the inner side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side sill is configured to absorb front-end collision load via front wheel deformation, then collision load absorption is improved, but the front wheel may deflect toward the vehicle-width-direction inner side causing cabin deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The side sill outer is divided into multiple components (first component, second component, third component) with different deformation strengths. The first component has lower deformation strength to allow controlled deformation and absorb collision energy, while the second and third components have higher deformation strength to maintain structural integrity and prevent the front wheel from deflecting toward the vehicle-width-direction inner side, thus protecting the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The side sill outer is segmented into multiple components with progressively increasing deformation strength from front to rear. This segmentation allows different portions of the side sill to perform different functions during collision: the first component deforms to absorb energy, while the second and third components remain relatively rigid to prevent harmful deflection and maintain cabin integrity.
2Loss of energy
If the side sill components are arranged with increasing deformation strength from front to rear, then stepwise load absorption is improved, but the front wheel may still recede toward the dash panel
Solution Approach 1:
The side sill outer components are designed with locally differentiated deformation strengths. The first component has lower deformation strength to enable stepwise energy absorption through controlled deformation, while the second and third components have higher deformation strength to provide structural support that prevents the front wheel from receding toward the dash panel, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining energy absorption.
3Ease of manufacture
If the side sill structure is simplified for stepwise deformation, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the front wheel deflection control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The side sill outer is constructed with multiple components having different deformation strengths, creating a sophisticated local quality distribution that controls front wheel deflection. Despite this complexity in material/structural properties, the overall configuration remains relatively simple compared to alternative solutions, achieving both ease of manufacture and effective deflection control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively absorbs front-end collision loads and prevents the front wheel from receding towards the vehicle-width-direction inner side by controlling deformation and guiding the wheel towards the outer side, enhancing collision safety and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
deformation strength against a pressure load from the vehicle front side decreases stepwise in this order
Implementation Method 2
absorbs a front-end collision load acting on a side sill via a front wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which can achieve both absorption of a front-end collision load acting on a side sill via a front wheel and prevention of receding of the front wheel toward the vehicle-width-direction inner side. The vehicle-body structure of the vehicle 1 includes front wheels 2 and side sills 5 in which a side sill outer 52 and a side sill inner 51 form a closed cross-section; the side sill inner 51 includes an inner body 53 in an open cross-sectional shape open on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, and an inner front end 54 connected to a front end of the inner body 53; the side sill outer 52 includes an outer body 55 in an open cross-sectional shape open on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and an outer front end 56 connected to a front end of the outer body 55; and the inner body 53, the outer body 55, the inner front end 54, and the outer front end 56 are configured in such a manner that deformation strength against a pressure load from the vehicle front side decreases stepwise in this order.